The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
Sophia Manos

Sophia Manos, photoj contributor

Sophia Manos is a sophomore digital media student who loves photography. She is dedicated to her school work, and helping out in any way she can within the community. Manos also enjoys hanging out with friends and traveling the world. She hopes to help document her time at McCallum.  

All content by Sophia Manos
AN EARLY HOMECOMING: Newly appointed assistant principal Gabriel Adame returned to McCallum this year after spending a year obtaining his master’s of education with the UT Texas Principals Leadership Academy. During his studies, Adame acted as an assistant principal at a middle school and an elementary school in order to gain more experience. Nevertheless, Adame felt compelled to return to Mac. “There are three main reasons I came back to McCallum,” Adame said. “Besides the students, who have been incredibly kind, supportive and funny, my colleagues and the friendships I developed here have been a huge part of the reason I came back.” Adame also said the community within the faculty was one of the main reasons he chose to return. “I felt so supported as an AP Biology teacher and coach,” Adame said. “And I can never repay them for the help I received, whether it was in the form of an email that made me feel good about what I was doing as a teacher or whether it was a kind remark as we were cheering on a kiddo in the stands.” Moving forward, Adame plans to take his role as an assistant principal seriously. He’s committed to leading by example when it comes to establishing a work ethic and a positive mindset. “The biggest value I want to embody is integrity,” Adame said. “I really hope that by the time I’m done here, people can really see me for the work that I did and the people I helped. Because really, this job is not about me. This job is about how I can get students to the place they want to be and how can I get teachers to be the best versions of themselves.” Fellow assistant principal Larry Featherstone believes that Adame continuously embodies that integrity. “I feel great about him being back here at McCallum,” Featherstone said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job. He’s training teachers, supporting students, and the best part is that he does it all with a smile on his face. He has a great spirit about him.” No matter how beloved he is on campus, however, Adame takes a humble approach to his work. “I’m a servant of the public, and it’s something I take great pride in, helping people accomplish the goals, the aspirations, the endeavors they set out for themselves,” Adame said. “If I can be a guide for them to navigate that, that’s what I want to do. Those are things I really try to live by, integrity and servitude.”

Fresh faces across the faculty

Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Nellie Eschberger, Josie Linton, Beatrix Lozach, Katie Martin, Sophia Manos, Aubrey Macedo, Harper Binfield Maxwell, Tallulah McAuliffe, Elizabeth Nation, Maddie O'Connor, Arwen Pelletier, Riley Pita, Eva Sanchez, Adele Seeboth, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nico Williamson
August 27, 2024
Photo by Harper Binfield Maxwell.

PhotoJ students spark creativity through emulation

Harper Binfield Maxwell, Carson Duncan, Olivia Dungan, David Herring, Carlo Hinsdale, Elli Grace Hodges, Katie Hyzak, Sophia Lopez, Beatrix Lozach, Aubrey Macedo, Sophia Manos, Katie Martin, Vivian Moore, Riley Pita, Adele Seeboth, and Cash Sims
July 16, 2024
Sophomore Chim Becker and retiring math teacher Paul Pew pose in front of the library mural Becker created in Pew’s honor.

[Photo] To honor retiring Pew, Becker creates mural about Euler’s Identity

Katie Martin, Mac photojournalism
July 2, 2024
BESTIES TAKE ON PROM: Senior Bella Gonzales dances with junior Helen Rodgers during prom last weekend.  “At dinner before I told my friends they better dance with me and they told me ‘no,’” Gonzales said. “But Helen said, ‘Of course I’ll dance with you,’ so Helen was the first friend that started dancing.”  Instead of taking a traditional date, Gonzales invited various junior friends to join her at prom.  “Instead of having a guy date, I invited a bunch of my junior friends,” she said. “I actually am so happy with that decision because it was just so fun having all my girls with me.”  While the day of prom provided many fun events besides just the dance, Gonzales still enjoyed the dance itself the most.  “The whole day of prom there are so many fun things to do,” Gonzales said. “We made bouquets together and got ready, but I was most excited to be at prom and see everyone I knew, and to see everyone dressed up.”  Gonzales especially appreciated the vibe stablished at prom.  “It was such a positive environment where everyone was hyping each other up, and we were all so high energy,” Gonzales said. “It's just such a positive environment at prom where everyone is so happy and having a good time.”  Besides the welcoming atmosphere, Gonzales especially looked forward to the dancing. “My friend Ellie and I were getting into the song ‘Beauty and the Beat’ together, and also ‘Cupid Shuffle,'” she said. “They are just such classics.”  When looking back on the dance and her senior year as a whole, Gonzales says she will forever remember how kind the class of 2024 is.  “I will always remember how close and how kind every single person in our class is,” Gonzales said. “I feel like we have no mean girls, no enemies, and we all love each other and love being together.” Caption by Naomi Di-Capua.

[Photo] Students enjoy an ‘enchanted’ night at prom

JoJo Barnard, Naomi Di-Capua, Gaby Esquivel, Shila Gill, August Gleason, Eliza Jensen, Chloe Lewcock, Josie Mullan, Alice Scott, and Priya Thoppil
April 23, 2024
AMAYZING MAYZE: Freshman Izzy Stern performs as one of the bird girls, singing the song “Amayzing Mayze.” For Stern, the long process behind Suessical was fun, as this was her second musical she performed in. “It was a great learning experience for me,” Stern said. “It is always so amazing to see the whole show come together during tech week when you run it with everyone together for the first time.” Stern auditioned for the roles of Mayze, Gertrude, and bird girl, and ultimately was cast as one of the bird girls. “You sign up for the audition and prepare a one minute cut of any song that you like and feel fits the musical,” she said. “I sang ‘There's a fine, fine line’ from Avenue Q. After you audition, the directors decide if you are called back for any roles or not.” Working hard on opening night, Stern felt the cast did a stellar job. “Everyone worked together surprisingly well, but I think we all really came together through the last weekend.” Lasting eight shows, Stern was ready for the end. “My favorite part was the finale,” she said. “Because there was so much energy from the show, and it is such a fun dance.” Caption by Priya Thoppil.

[Photo] ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’

JoJo Barnard, Campbell Epperly, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Katie Martin, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, Francie Wilhelm, and Naomi Di-Capua
April 16, 2024
EXCLAIMING FOR THE ECLIPSE: Freshmen Jack Wood, Arwen Pelletier and Cole Truong watch the eclipse from the softball field with their digital media class. Pelletier said she was glad she chose to experience the eclipse with friends at school. “So many kids were exclaiming whenever the clouds broke and you could actually see it,” Pelletier said. “I live really close, and my mom was at home and she was outside. She said that she could hear everyone yelling.” For Pelletier, the highlight of the eclipse was the few seconds when the clouds parted and the eclipse was visible in totality. “I'll always be able to remember what it looks like in my mind,” Pelletier said. “Some things I think about, but I can't remember what they looked like. But this was memorable enough and incredible enough that I'll be able to picture it forever.” Caption by Ingrid Smith.

At MAC, the eclipse really was Knight Time

JoJo Barnard, Shila Gill, Eliza Jensen, Chloe Lewcock, Sophia Manos, Josie Mullan, Alice Scott, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Maya Tackett, and Priya Thoppil
April 9, 2024
DRACULA’S VERSION OF COFFEEHOUSE: Each year as part of the Coffeehouse experience, Excalibur picks a theme to tie into their show, decorations and food that is served. Traditionally the theme follows along with an old storybook, and this year, the Excalibur staff members chose one they could really sink their teeth into… Dracula. Coffeehouse offers McCallum artists an opportunity to perform a poem, rap, original song or group act. The talent show-type environment sets the stage for these up-and-coming artists to present their material to a live audience, and gain more exposure. According to senior Ayden Lee, getting to be a part of Coffeehouse was memorable because it expanded his musical horizons in a way connected to McCallum. “I prepared for the show mainly by repeating my lyrics throughout the day and hopefully remembering them,” Lee said. “I played an original song titled ‘Palo Santo Splinters’ and it was a fairly new song that I had written, so it was a bit difficult.” Lee notes that while performing an original song was something of a daunting challenge, the Coffeehouse environment made him feel comfortable and at home while performing, and made it “worth it in the end.” “Right after I finished I heard everyone applaud,” Lee said. “It was super special to hear that.” Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

Annual coffeehouse incorporates Dracula theme

Morgan Eye, Chloe Lewcock, Sophia Manos, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Maya Tackett, and Priya Thoppil
February 14, 2024
ALL ABOUT THAT BASS: Performing with his band Nest, senior Jack Dover finishes off the last song in their set with a bass solo. “I was really trying to focus in on my playing,” Dover said. Battle of the Bands was the first time Nest has performed, which made the experience especially meaningful for Dover. “We’ve been practicing for about a month and a half,” Dover said. “I really enjoyed sharing my own music that my band and I have been working on. I’d say I’m pretty happy with how we’re doing now, and I think it’s nice to bring some other sounds to the McCallum band scene.” Dover also just appreciated the chance to be surrounded by other students with similar interests as him. “It was really a lot of fun,” He said. “It was great to see a lot of people who were so passionate about music all together in one space and being able to share their love for music.” Caption by Alice Scott.

[Photo] Battle of the Bands offers mosh to be proud of

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Gaby Esquivel, Shila Gill, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Maggie Mass, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, and Lanie Sepehri
January 24, 2024
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